Local pickelball players temporary suspend play Monday night to pose for a photo. Games are played 7-9 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays at the Pinon Park Tennis Courts in White Rock. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

The local pickleball scene is growing and the community is invited to get in on the action.

Los Alamos Pickleball is utilizing the tennis courts at Pinon Park in White Rock. From 7-9 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, pickleball players gather at the three tennis courts, which provide space for six pickleball courts, to play the game. Pickleball Ambassador Lem O’Neal said up to 30 people can play.

He added the 7 p.m. playtime was selected to accommodate more than just retirees.

There is no cost to play but people should register by going to www.pickleballbrackets.com.

Players are divided into groups and play in a round robin structure. O’Neal said everybody of all abilities are welcomed.

O’Neal praised the Los Alamos tennis groups and Los Alamos County for working with the pickleball group and sharing the facilities with them. He explained the Pinion Park tennis courts are the sole option to play pickleball at night because they are lit. The only other courts with outdoor lighting are at Urban Park but O’Neal said pickleball players prefer not to use those since competitive tennis is played there.

He added the hope is to continue offering this sport in the community.

“We’ll keep doing it as long as there’s an interest,” O’Neal said.